Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2009 15:31:05 -0600
Reply-To: Jerry <jbvelo@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jerry <jbvelo@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Subject: Re: heads- bus depot or van cafe??
In-Reply-To: <012c01c97f2f$a8802290$6401a8c0@PROSPERITY>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Scott,
That's great info to know. I never realized the AMC
heads had a defect with the "plane" of the cylinder head.
It's hard to believe that a machined surface no more than
112 square inches could be that for off.
I know when Bob Donalds or Gary built the engine they sent to
me, Bob indicated that he milled the perimeter of the cylinder
head where the perimeter (coolant) seal sealed between block and head.
JB 88GL GUIDO
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Scott Daniel - Turbovans
Sent: Sunday, January 25, 2009 2:58 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: heads- bus depot or van cafe??
on the AMC heads........
I would agree that they come with lower quality valves.....
and OEM type valves are the way to go........especially on the exhausts. I
think I paid 80 bucks my cost on german ones a year ago, which wasn't even
list price.
I would also warn people to check if the AMC heads sit flat on the barrels
so that the head is dead parallel to the block.........where the outer water
gasket goes.
I have two cases now of where the AMC head does not sit flat........and it
pinches the outer water gasket about half way around.
it's a little hard to correct that tilt too........
for most machine shops, since the angle of the bottom of the head is
referenced to the combustion chambers where the metal rings sit.......
and not referenced to the top of the head at the valve cover gasket
surface......they are going to want to reference to the valve cover gasket
surface on the top of the head............and the water gaskets don't care
about that.
They care that the gap is about right, and the same all the way across and
around.........and that gap is determined by how the head sits on the
barrels and metal rings on top of them.
.
But you'd think they could get it right if they wanted to enough.
but watch out for AMC heads sitting tilted on the engine, by a couple of
thousands.......and the gap being too tight actually, causing pinching of
the outer water gasket, and thus leaking, after a year or so.
Scott
www.turbovans.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jerry" <jbvelo@BELLSOUTH.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, January 25, 2009 9:31 AM
Subject: Re: heads- bus depot or van cafe??
> Matt,
> Check out the AMC heads from Boston Engine.
> Bob Donalds passed last OCT (RIP). According to
> other list members Boston Engine will continue
> business. Bob Donalds used AMC heads on the
> engines he built. He trashed the valves which
> came with the new AMC heads and installed OEM
> German valves. He also performed the necessary
> valve grinding and seating procedure and ensured
> the valve springs had correct spring tension.
> To my understanding Bob also performed some
> mild porting to the AMC heads he used.
> I purchased a Boston Engine in JAN 08 and I am
> completely satisfied.
> The purchase price for Boston Engine AMC heads
> is a little higher but I would pay the extra and be
> confident you won't have any problems.
>
> JB 88GL GUIDO
>
> READ THIS MESSAGE:
> FYI
> Just had a conversation with Stan Wohlfarth who used to be with Bently
> Publications and has been active in the VW world for years...He and Bobs
> hired hand, Gary, are taking over the eng business from Bobs wife after
> his
> passing.
> Gary has been the eng builder for 10 yrs or so and Stan is going to be the
> front man of the business and relieve Karen of all of it. Sounds like a
> good
> match to me..
> They are proceeding to get the word out about the fact that they are still
> at it and likely under the name..Boston Engine LLC...
> I have met them both and they are a good pair of guys for your stock VW
> engines out there.
> If any questions, email Stan at stan_wohlfarth@msn.com or call at (508)
> 333-7813
>
> Daryl of AA Transaxle
> (425) 788-4070
> aatransaxle.com
> 86 Syncro Westy
> Zetec in the trunk
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Matthew
> Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2009 11:48 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: heads- bus depot or van cafe??
>
> i need a set of rebuilt wasserboxer heads.
>
> van-cafe has'em for $350 + core
> bus depot has'em for $220 + core
>
> Anybody have experience with one set versus the other?
> thanks
> matt
>
>
> "may the four winds blow you safely home"
